Deformable washer with additive dispenser and method of manufacture

Abstract

A washer with integrated fluid distribution which includes a body with an outer ring having an aperture located centrally within said ring, a channel enclosed within said outer ring and a release channel in fluid communication with said aperture and an interior surface of said channel and wherein said channel is filled with a dispensing fluid and said release channel is reversibly closed.

The embodiment of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed is defined as follows: 
     
       1. A washer with integrated fluid distribution comprising:
 a washer body defining an outer ring having an aperture located centrally within said ring; and 
 a channel enclosed within said outer ring and a first release channel exit and a second release channel exit in fluid communication with said aperture and an interior surface of said channel; 
 wherein said channel is filled with a dispensing fluid and said first and second release channel exit is reversibly closed; 
 wherein said body comprises a compressible material; 
 wherein each release channel exit is opened when pressure is applied to said washer body and said dispensing fluid exits the channel via the opened release channel exit; 
 wherein said first channel exit is closed with a material having a first failure rate and the second channel exit is closed with a material having a second failure rate and wherein said second failure rate is different from the first failure rate. 
 
     
     
       2. The washer of  claim 1  wherein said dispensing fluid is a sealant. 
     
     
       3. The washer of  claim 1  wherein said dispensing fluid is a locking fluid. 
     
     
       4. The washer of  claim 1  wherein said channel comprises two regions not in communication with one another wherein a first channel region is in fluid communication with the first fluid exit and the second channel region is in fluid communication with the second exit. 
     
     
       5. The washer of  claim 1  wherein said first region is filled with a first part of a two-part epoxy sealant and said second region is filled with a second part of said epoxy sealant. 
     
     
       6. The washer of  claim 1  wherein the contents of said channel are indicated with an indicia on said channel body. 
     
     
       7. The washer of  claim 6  wherein said indicia comprises a color code. 
     
     
       8. The washer of  claim 6  wherein said indicia comprises an identifier. 
     
     
       9. The washer of  claim 1  wherein said aperture is adapted to receive a workpiece having a shank wherein friction produced by said shank breaches the release channel exit. 
     
     
       10. The washer of  claim 1  wherein said aperture is adapted to receive a workpiece having a shank wherein force against the washer main body produced by said workpiece breaches the release channel exit. 
     
     
       11. The washer of  claim 1  further comprising a pouch wherein said pouch encapsulates each filled washer and hermetically seals each washer from an external atmosphere.